Tuesday Morning - Ministry of the Laity; Advance Anniversary

Listen to Bishop Pennel's Bible Study

Tuesday morning opened with a Bible study with former Virginia Conference Joe E. Pennel Jr.

Bishop Kammerer, Conference Lay Leader Shirley Cauffman, and Jeff Mickle, chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry, led the Recognition of Professional Certification for Local Church Ministry.  Those recognized included Cynthia G. Banek, Christian Education (Peninsula District); Mary Stephanie Downey, Christian Education (Farmville District); and Martha Ensley Stokes, Older Adult Ministry (Richmond District).

Shawn Bakker of the Advance paid a visit to the conference as it celebrates is 60th Anniversary. It's the designated giving arm of the United Methodist Church. The Advance was created to restore hope after World War II.  A video was shown letting people know how their gifts are used around the world, including sewing machines in Bolivia, artifical limbs for mine victims in Sierra Leone, and fighting poverty in the Philippines to name just a few.  "There is strength in numbers," said Bakker. "There is strength in the number of gifts United Mehtodist give. Over $37 million was given last year to over 100 countries." The Virginia Annual Conference "continues to be a shining example. Some 69 percent of local churches in the Virginia Conference gave over $2 million." Bakker presented the conference an award. The Virginia conference has raised more money than any other conference in the Southeastern Jurisdiction in giving to the Advance. We are number two of all conferences, so a challenged has been issued to be number one.

Listen to Shirley Cauffman's Laity Address

View the Laity Address Power Point

Download the Laity Address (pdf)

Shirley Cauffman delivers Laity Address.

Shirley Cauffman then took the stage to give the Laity Address. She asked people to think of the "What ifs" in church. For example, "What if we welcomed people into the church." Is the pew where we sit more important than welcoming those who don't know Christ.

"What if the church truly became a place of open heart, open minds and open doors?" Cauffman asked. "Perhaps the day will come when we can truly say we welcome ALL who come to worship. "

"What if we did away with those famous words, 'We have always done it this way.' "Many of us like the traditional service with organ music," Cauffman said. "What if we open ourselves to new ways of worship and new music."

Cauffman said, "We are empowered by God to be witnesses. What if the claity really became partners in ministry. Claity is a new word you won't find in Webster's Dictionary.  A lay leader meant to say clergy and laity and it came out claity. I like that word. It sounds like the word clay in which God can shape and form us. If there is to be a revival in the church, the laity must be a part of it. Clergy must train the laity to do ministry beyond the walls ofthe church. None of us can do the work alone. Working together, with God's help, we can do so much more.

"What if we all started living by Wesley's three simple rules. Do no hard. Do good. Stay in love with God.

"What if we accepted God's promise for the future, opened our hands and said, 'Here I am Lord, send me, send me.'"

Addie Haynes

Addie Haynes, president of the conference United Methodist Women, reported on the activities of women throughout Virginia. "United Methodist Women have always given tirelessly of the time, talents, and gifts. We are focused on ministry with women, children and youth. We are commited to inclusiveness," she said. "Because of the hard work of the women, we were able to send more than $1.1 million to the Women's Division and other supported projects. The Virginia Conference women are second in the nation in giving. They support the assembly center, Ferrum College. We advocate for the oppressed." Women are in partnership with the women of Mozambique where they will be distributing nets in August.

The women have finished their third "Virginia Originals," that are great for devotions. The women thank local pastors, district superintendents and the bishop who lend their support.

Larry Burian

Larry Burian, president of the conference United Methodist Men, presented his report. "This year, United Methodist Men are celebrating 100 years of ministry to men," he said. "The 100 years really had its beginnings with Charles Wesley and his Holy Clubs. A lot of things bring great joy to UMMen," he said. "We have learned and I want you to know where the Virginia conference is. We are the leader of the pack. We are a model for other conferences. There are more chartered units than any other conference. It's the only conference that has elected leadership in all 18 districts."

Burian attended a national meeting in February. The Society of St. Andrew was at the meeting and gave an award for the Meals for Millions program. The Virginia Conference was "at the top of the heap."

"The men of this conference are hard workers and free givers," Burian said. "Last year, the UMMen contributed to men's ministry $1.1 million. An additional $200,000-$300,000 goes to other causes. I"m proud of these men and I know you are, too. They are accomplishing great things all to the glory of Jesus Christ and no other reason."

Burian said he is bothered by one thing. In 1992, Barna reserach said 40 percent of America attended church. In 1996, it dropped to a mere 28 percent. Take this research data with others, and statistically our churches are populated by more women than men, about a 40 to 60 split. "Where are the men?" Burian asked. " We know they're out there. We need to bring them into the church."

He emphasized the need for "spiritual reproduction" that will be an emphasis in the future.

Marshall Bailey (right).

Marshall Bailey, president of the Conference Council on Youth Ministries, and other youth leaders. Bishop Kammerer praised Marshall for his work at the General Conference. Marshall thanked the conference for making this year's conference emphasis on youth and young adults. Anna Kyle pointed out that the bags clergy and laity members were given this year can serve as a reusable grocery store.  Bailey than introduced a video that shows how youth are engaged in ministry. "We do have churches that are failing in reaching young people," Bailey said. The Board of Discipleship conducted Listening Posts across the conference to hear what young people had to say about what they needed in church. The youth on stage related those needs. The youth let out big THANKS YOUS! for the work the conference is doing.

The Rev. Keith Mottley presented a report on United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM). He thanked the young people, UMW, UMMen for their great reports. "They make a difference because we make a difference in teams," Mottle said. In 2007, 424 Virginia Conference teams representing more than 4,000 people traveled across the world for construction work, medical help, and filling other needs. He told everyone they can be a part whether they travel to the place or not. "You can get down on your knees and pray," he said. A video was show of Christian love in action.

The Rev. Robert Friend, chair, gave the report of the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center. Denise Bates was introduced as the incoming chair.  A capital campaign committee is being formed and they are moving into the active phase. A design team has been contracted. They shared a video that has the initial design concept. It calls for the renovation of the existing space with new heating, a new kitchen and bedrooms. They are working on energy efficiency, a welcome center and more.

The Rev. Jeff Mickle introduced the visiting deans and seminary presidents. The Rev. Lee B. Sheaffer introduced the presidents of the Virginia Conference-related schools.

Bishop Hope Morgan Ward took the stage at 11:15 in her role of conference preacher. She talked about her grandmother who died when she was only 7, but has a presence in her life to this day. She thanked Bishop Kammerer for her friendship and love.

The day I decided to leave the ministry was the day I decided to stay, a pastor wrote. He received an urgent call from a young couple at the hospital with a baby with a brain tumor. The pastor spent the day with them as the child went through tests. He remembered the oncologist coming into the room and thinking he should have been a doctor. He wanted to bring something tangible and helpful. A neighborhing pastor came in and prayed. He told the young couple if they prayed hard enough the young child would live.

After the child feel asleep in the pastor's arms, he knew he had fulfilled his calling. The great powerlessness of his work was its great beauty and its great power.

"As we approach the second anniversary of Katrina, I reread the Book of Job," Ward said. "God has drawn a circle on the face of the water on the boundary between life and darkness." People live between that place. They are so very close together. They are often asked, "How are things on the Gulf Coast." She said there are happy stories and there are sad stories. She said when she tells a story about a successful rebuilding, she said she feels the need to tell of what needs to be done. You look in one direction and see new houses and look in the other direction and see cement slabs of where houses used to be. "As you've come to help us, you have discovered that place of dark and light."

"I want to be the one who lives in the circle of darkness and light. I want to live among God's people and receive their gifts and bring something out of nothing," the bishop said.